These moving true stories of discipline dedication self-sacrifice and self-empowerment capture the struggle of 10 African-Americans who made a name for themselves in the martial arts. During the 1950's and 1960's, martial arts practice was struggling for respectability in this country and African-Americans were struggling for equal rights under the law. Here in their own words are the stories of the black pioneers who have been instrumental in shaping the course of martial arts in America.